The Military Draft is a set of government policies that requires citizens to serve in the armed forces of their country. Compulsory military service has been employed several times in the United States, first during the Civil War, then also in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Cold War. The U.S. discontinued the draft in 1973, but retains the Selective Service System as a contingency plan. Men between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to register their information with the government so that, if necessary, a draft system could be resumed.
Vermont Vs. the Draft
In May 2009, House lawmakers in Vermont voted 68 to 60 against requiring young men to register for Selective Service when they receive their driver's license. Representatives like David Potter argued that tying Selective Service registration to driving privileges would help young people realize the obligations and responsibilities of living in a free nation. Other representatives, such as Michael Fisher, argued that the decision of whether or not to serve in the military is a decision for potential servicemen and women and their families, rather than legislators.Rutland Herald: Vt. House defeats tying license, draft sign-up (May 5, 2009)
Military Draft Central Figures
- Charles Rangel
- Christian Science Monitor: Behind Talk of a New Draft: Equity (2006)
- Mitt Romney
- The Nation: Debating Rangel's Draft (2006)
References
Fast Facts
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Military Draft is also referred to as compulsory military service, the draft and conscription
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The draft was first used in the United States during the Civil War
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During the Civil War, 2% of the 2,100,000 Union soldiers were draftees
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Resistance to the draft sparked the New York Draft Riots of July 1863
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The Confederate Army also employed the use of the draft during the Civil War
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Both the North and South permitted draftees to hire substitutes
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The "modern" draft system began in 1926
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The draft received congressional funding 1934
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The first peacetime draft in the U.S. began in 1940
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The draft system changed from a panel to a lottery selection system in 1942
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The Selective Service Act of 1948 required all men ages 18 to 26 to register their information with the government
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Out of 27 million men, 2,215,000 men were drafted for military service during the Vietnam War
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Another 100,000 draft-eligible men fled the country to escape being drafted
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In 1968, Richard Nixon campaigned for president on a promise to end the draft
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Nixon chose to continue the draft until 1973
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The U.S. now has an all-volunteer military force
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Several U.S. politicians have renewed interest in the draft in response to the Iraq War
